You will be ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED when the “biggest twist of the year” reveals that this new character is actually the biological father of a soap legend.

EASTENDERS fans have predicted the ‘biggest twist of the year’ after insisting a new character is a show icon’s real father.

Earlier this month crime boss Russell Delaney [Antony Skordi] made his debut, being revealed as the person who has been troubling Mark Fowler Jr [Stephen Aaron-Sipple] for months.

Now EastEnders fans have taken to social media with a wild theory that Russell is Nicola Mitchell’s real dad, after they were previously led to believe her father was a violent alcoholic who passed away 20 years ago.

Alongside photos of Nicola [Laura Doddington] and Russell posted on TikTok, one viewer said: “I think they’re definitely gearing up for more of Nicola’s family being introduced, even for short stints.

“She’s been talking a lot more about her family and upbringing recently.”

Another said: “Yeah, that’s definitely her father.”

Someone else wrote: “I hope so, we need a good storyline to build up to the New Year.”

And a fourth added: “I really think he’s Nicola’s dad.”

Russell previously made it very clear he’s not a nice guy when he pressured Mark to kill a police informant in his drug gang, which turned out to be Ravi Gulati [Aaron Thiara].

Mark and Ravi ended up having a showdown in the woods but were both saved when Vicki Fowler [Alice Haig] and the Mitchells arrived.

After officially arriving on the Square, Russell told Mark he wants £100,000 – bundling him into a car around the same time as Nigel Bates’ funeral.

Fans will recognise Antony after his roles in Soldier Soldier and The Bill.

He also voiced characters in Star Wars: The Old Republic and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.